I am scheduled for a colonoscopy next week. I have had one before so I know the prep is the worst thing about it. I was just wondering if there is anything I should tell the nurse when I get there about having Sjogren's. I also have APS...with the blood clotting issue...I am off of the asprin for a week. Kind of nervous just because of the Sjogren's and APS and how it may affect me during the colonscopy. What have some of you experienced with it since your diagnosis? (having a colonscopy)
Hi Diane, I don't know about the USA, but here in England, every detail of ones medications are noted, as soon as your admitted someone will come around and take all your particulars,
If you are unsure of anything at all, then that would be the time to tell them.
Good luck, Dolly x
I have Sjogrens and I am also a colorectal cancer survivor so I've had three scopes! Lots of experience as far as these things go.
They want you to be very well hydrated so as you are doing the prep you'll be able to drink lots of extra fluids. I found that herbal tea, chicken broth, etc. were best to counter the cold the seemed to be brought on my losing the fluid due to the prep.
Tell them you have Sjogren's and a little about what it is. They let me have a few sips of water the day of the scope even after the "no more by mouth" time period. That time period is there in case there is a complication during the procedure and they need to operate on an emergency basis (from what I understand - I'm not a doc).
All in all I've done just fine with the dryness and the scopes/prep. Just get nice and hydrated for the few days before and drink plenty of liquid while you can - things that help restore electrolytes are really good.
Myself I could not handle the prep. It kept coming up the wrong way. I had to go in early that day of my colonscopy and get anti-nausea med. No probs at all after that.
You might look into getting a couple anti-nausea pills from dr just in case you need it the night before,
If you have any heart issues, don't let them give you the prep that is high in salt. It can throw off your electrolytes big time. And yes, all the fluids you can get down would be good!!
I told the intake nurse I had taken none of my meds prior to arriving for the AM colonoscopy but would take them when I got home. The nurse said that was fine.
However when I spoke to the anesthesiologist who was reviewing the meds I take, he said a few times I should have taken my steroids & antibiotic meds anyways. He ended up adding the steroids to my IV & said I did not need to take them for that day.
note: I was told by my primary dr. that I had to take the antibiotic with a substantial meal because it had very strong side effects.
I would make sure to let the nurse and anesthesiologist know what meds you have or have not taken prior to arriving to the appt. If you are not sure what to take or not, call your gastroenterologist's office and ask them.